Who is the person most interested in taking care of you ? The usual answers are usually shared between your mother, your partner and the people who love you. While it is true that everyone has a group of close friends they can trust and lean on, the one most interested in making sure that you are perfectly well is only one: yourself.
Personal care , in essence, is the act of intentionally performing any action that brings us physical, mental, and emotional pleasure, as well as creating a space for introspection. How to do it? Simple, look for things that make you happy, and make them a habit.
Learn about the most common examples of rituals you should follow to take better care of yourself.
6 rituals you should follow to take better care of yourself
1. Leaving home
When was the last time you went for a leisurely walk in the park? The need for fresh air may sound a bit obvious, but we almost always overlook it.
Different studies have shown that being in contact with nature can help reduce blood pressure and muscle tension, as well as reduce the production of hormones that cause stress and even mortality.
Experiencing nature is also beneficial for mental health. The sound of the cicadas and the singing of the birds allow you to feel more relaxed, in addition to stabilizing the emotions: you can say goodbye to the insipient fear, stress and irrational anger.
In addition, connecting with nature allows you to feel the rest of the living beings around you, to feel part of a whole. A simple walk around the block, or climbing outdoors for a bit is a powerful act of self- care .
2. Keep a journal
Don’t feel like a 16-year-old American teenager confessing her darkest secrets to paper. Journaling is something that shouldn’t end in elementary school. Expressing everyday feelings, thoughts, and moods is a rewarding experience for anyone, regardless of age or gender.
Keeping a journal allows you to clarify your thoughts and feelings, identify possible solutions to interpersonal problems or internal conflicts, and generally keep in touch with yourself. In addition, you can always take small trips back in time to keep an eye on your past self. It is always gratifying to realize how time and experiences make you grow as a person.
If you are not one of those who enjoy ink and paper, you can always opt for the always reliable and available notepad on your mobile phone or computer.
3. Coloring
Adult coloring books are not about a regression to childhood. Certainly getting out your colors, markers, and brushes and getting to work at a counter may remind you of kindergarten, but the benefits of art therapy are real and palpable.
Art therapy has been shown to help people clarify their feelings, resolve emotional conflicts, reduce anxiety, and improve self-awareness. Furthermore, it is also a great act of creative expression. There is even some research that suggests that coloring can have a meditative effect.
4. Practice yoga
You don’t have to pay for a studio membership or be an expert-level yogi to reap its benefits. Thanks to cheap yoga Apps and free online courses, you can take the sessions on your own. Just a little time each week can help you reduce stress , release physical tension, improve your psychological well-being, self-awareness, and relaxation in general.
There are many meditation techniques, but they all focus on one common idea: concentrating on your inner presence and stillness while allowing the mind to calm down. Whether you practice it for ten minutes or an hour, meditation brings impressive benefits such as reducing mental and physical stress, improving concentration and the functioning of the immune system.
5. Spending time with animals
Our furry, cold-nosed friends may be adorable, but they’re not man’s only friends. Spending time with animals of all kinds has been shown to improve mental and physical health, as well as help improve social skills.
If you don’t have a dog, you can play with horses, take care of your friend’s cat, or volunteer at an animal shelter. Having a furry friend by your side can help you relax, lower your blood pressure, and bring a lot of joy into your life.
6. Take a bath
Don’t wait for the flies to land on you to take a dip in the bathtub: water baths purify not only the body, but also the soul.
Taking a bath or shower has been shown to reduce stress, improve mood, and help release physical and emotional tension. In fact, the calming elements in water have been known to help treat anxiety and pain.
If you want to make the most of those minutes, add fresh essential oils to the water to combine the benefits of bathing with those of aromatherapy.
How to start a process of personal self-care?
As you begin a self -care practice , anticipate a process of trial and error as you discover what feels most enjoyable and relaxing for you. Once you’ve identified your favorite self-care activities, turn them into a series of daily, weekly, and monthly habits.
It can also help to establish a support plan for your rituals. So if you can’t do an hour of meditation or take a walk in a nearby park, know that it’s okay to practice them for at least 20 minutes on a hectic day. The important thing is that you stick with it, and don’t stop taking care of yourself when life gets busy. After all, this is when you need it the most!
References
- Newcomer, Laura. 7 Self-Care Rituals to Practice Every Day. For Daily Burn. [Revised January 2017].